Cesar Vega
Posted on October 7, 2023
I got laid off at the beginning of September 2023. And I was lucky enough to get a job offer from another company two weeks later. I have also worked for over eight companies as a contractor and had to go through the same hoops in each.
This piece is not a guide to get into big tech, but rather somewhere in the middle-high range where you can grow, have a balance, and still make good money. So here are my five learnings from my experience:
Be a good engineer.
The article's most essential and irreplaceable point is that you can't swindle your way around getting a software developer job. You need to read and put in the effort to practice coding challenges.
I recommend a few resources for this: roadmap.sh will familiarize you with the concepts you need to learn and provide valuable resources to understand them.
I also recommend neetcode.io to try your hand at practicing coding challenges and essential concepts.
Apply to everything fast.
This advice is controversial, but this is what works for me and a few other people I've talked with. Our current job market is a mess; Some companies post ghost jobs that they don't intend to fill, [1][2], others fill the position and forget their post, and others are almost done with their recruitment process, so the odds are against you, and others.
My solution is to apply to everything quickly, sort postings by date, and apply to every job related to what you want, even in companies you don't like.
Now, you either get an opportunity to interview for a company you like or you get practice interviewing with a company you don't like. Remember, you can always turn down an offer.
Note: I have heard that this is mean and that you are wasting people's time. This point is debatable, but the short answer is that most companies have their interview process automated, and most companies don't care if they are wasting your time with many rounds of interviews. You should follow your moral compass, but don't feel bad for doing what you must do.
I usually hear this kind of argument from underrepresented people in tech, especially women. If it helps, most companies want to attract more BIOPC, LGBTQ+, and woman coders, so apply liberally. [3] [4] [5]
Where to apply?
I don't like LinkedIn, but in Canada, there are excellent offers at Indeed.com, Levels.fyi and my favorite Hired.com, a friend also recommended simplify.jobs.
Tips for immigrants
In Canada, it is generally not legal for employers to ask about your immigration status during the hiring process [6]. But if you are requested your immigration status after receiving a job offer, you should disclose it at this point. [7].
But then again, if you want the job, you will disclose it if they ask. My advice is to be honest, always have your papers in order, and keep your answers short so you don't dig a hole for yourself. If you are worried about this, contact an immigration lawyer.
Be patient.
I sent almost 100 applications before getting an offer, and earlier in my career, there were times when I spent months and over 300 applications before getting a job. Be patient and learn what you are comfortable negotiating. Plenty of companies are out there, and work is a big part of the day, so feel free to let one offer slip out if you don't fit in the culture. But don't be too picky, you might realize that you enjoy working at a company after all.
Sources:
Posted on October 7, 2023
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